Brian Nagele
Seattle is known for its grunge music culture, excellent coffee, and range of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking.
But if you’re looking to experience the city’s hip, chic, or fancier scenes, checking out Seattle’s rooftop bars is an excellent idea.
The best rooftop bars in Seattle, Washington, have fantastic drinks, attentive staff, and welcoming atmospheres.
In this article, I’ll share my favorite rooftop bars in the “Emerald City” so you’ll know exactly where to go next time you’re in town.
And if you live in Seattle – even better! You’ll likely have the opportunity to check them all out, one by one. So grab your drinking buddies and check out my list of the best rooftop bars in Seattle below!
Fog Room
1610 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-256-7525
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Fog Room is a chic, indoor-outdoor rooftop bar near Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market. The view of the city is arguably the best aspect of this bar, especially during sunset when you’ll catch the orange glow on the city’s skyline.
I love hanging around the fire pit at night and drinking either an Old Fashioned or some of their more creative cocktails. Their food is delicious as well, from the lobster roll to the Brussel sprouts, to the smoked barbecue.
Frolik Kitchen+Cocktails
1415 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-971-8015
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If you’re looking for Seattle’s hip scene with a little bit of class, come to Frolik Kitchen+Coktails. This bar, located outside the Central Business District near the Seattle Art Museum, has a classy, sleek design that will make you feel like a star.
Make your way up the 5th floor of the Motif Hotel, and you’ll be treated to a range of delicious, inspired cocktails, such as the fruity Great Brandino or the Frolik OG Mule, a classic vodka mule with a pear-flavored spin.
It’s best to go here for the drinks, the views, and the fun ping pong table; however, the food isn’t Seattle’s absolute best, so I recommend going before or after dinner.
mbar
400 Fairview Ave N 14th Floor, Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: 206-457-8287
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The rooftop bar called mbar has a simple name but a complex, unique, and artful space, atmosphere, and menu!
The menu features a fusion of Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean eats that will stimulate both your curiosity and your tastebuds.
I love not only the food but their unique selection of cocktails and their provided blankets on chillier nights.
Plus, it’s near the Space Needle, one of Seattle’s most popular tourist spots, and the rooftop provides a fantastic, memorable view of it.
Rooftop Brewing Company
1220 W Nickerson St, Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: 206-457-8598
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Seattle is known not only for its coffee but also for its microbreweries, and Rooftop Brewing Company has award-winning craft beer!
This brewery is unique in that it’s one of the only ones in Seattle with a rooftop bar. Come here to drink some of their excellent IPAs, try a beer flight, or order from their rotating taps.
The views of Elliott Bay are wonderful, especially on a sunny day. I also appreciate the available food trucks in the parking lot because IPAs tend to get my stomach rumbling!
The Nest Rooftop Bar
110 Stewart St, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-623-4600
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The Nest Rooftop Bar is located in the heart of Seattle’s business district, on top of the Thompson Hotel.
You’ll feel like a VIP as soon as you walk in and are greeted with beautiful views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.
The sunset view at The Nest is to die for, as well as the wine, bar snacks, and cocktails. I love pairing their “Big Boa” rum cocktail with spiced nuts.
They also have delectable Espresso martini and Irish Coffees, in case you need to get energized for the rest of your evening out!
The Mountaineering Club
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Phone: 206-634-2000
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The Mountaineering Club is a new addition to Seattle’s bar scene, but it’s quickly become one of my favorites.
It’s located in the University District, near the University of Washington campus, and has a beautiful view of Mount Rainier.
This bar is cozy and charming, with a lodge-like feel that makes you want to curl up with a cocktail in hand. They even offer DIY “s’mores, ” making this bar even more charming.
Maximilien Restaurant
81A Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-682-7270
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Maximilien Restaurant is another cozy rooftop restaurant, serving delicious French classics like French Onion Soup and Croque-Madame.
I especially enjoy their tender, juicy Steak Frites. It’s within the Pike Place Market, so you can do some shopping before or after your meal if you’d like.
This restaurant has a romantic vibe that’s perfect for a date night due to its intimate design and well-decorated meals and cocktails.
Ben Paris
130 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-513-7303
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Another rooftop bar right by Pike Place Market, very close to the Seattle Art Museum, is called Ben Paris.
Ben Paris is a lovely spot to go if you want a rooftop with good views and bright surroundings, but mainly indoors. I also love going to Ben Paris when I want a completely customized cocktail.
When you’re feeling indecisive, you can ask them to make you anything that’s “fruity” or “smoky” or whatever type of cocktail you prefer, and they’ll whip up something delightful.
Their food menu is excellent as well, from their fried chicken to their hush puppies to their ricotta pancakes.
Hard Rock Cafe
116 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-204-2233
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Right near Ben Paris, mentioned above, is the Hard Rock Cafe. The Hard Rock Cafe is a popular spot, especially for tourists. It provides both indoor and outdoor options, and the rooftop space is particularly inviting and casual.
The bartenders have the best personalities here, which is nice when you wish to both drink tasty cocktails and be entertained!
The menu is typical of Hard Rock Cafes, and I recommend going with the classic burger and fries here. Get the Java Lava Burger if you love spice!
Smith Tower Observatory Bar
506 2nd Ave #35, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-624-0414
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The Smith Tower Observatory Bar is one of the most iconic Seattle bars, and for a good reason. It’s located in the oldest skyscraper in Seattle, built-in 1914, which provides a stunning view of the cityscape.
This is a great spot for happy hour, as they have excellent drink specials. The bar food here is also some of the best I’ve had at a Seattle rooftop bar, from their potstickers to their flatbreads.
Terra Plata
1501 Melrose Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: 206-325-1501
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Terra Plata is another exceptionally popular bar and restaurant in Seattle, located between First Hill and Capitol Hill on the east side of the expressway.
I admire the fact that Terra Plata uses locally sourced ingredients for their dishes because not only is it more sustainable, it tastes better!
Their roast pig and paella are insanely good, but I recommend trying all the tapas you can as well. Although there are heaters and blankets, this rooftop spot is best for when the weather is a bit nicer.
The Pink Door
1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-443-3241
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The Pink Door is an exciting, top-rated Italian restaurant between Belltown and Downtown. But it’s not just any Italian restaurant: they have burlesque and trapeze performers that’ll keep you highly entertained throughout your meal!
If the acrobatics are what get you through the door, their food and drinks are what will keep you there. I am obsessed with their cioppino and their spicy Pizza Bianca.
Captain Blacks
129 Belmont Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
Phone: 206-327-9549
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Captain Blacks is a casual, friendly nautical-themed restaurant in the Capitol Hill area.
If you’re from the South and tend to miss Southern foods when you’re in Seattle, check this place out. They have delicious chicken and waffles, fried pickles, and mac and cheese.
In terms of drinks, you can get the classics – Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule, Mojito, etc. – or try something special, like their “Mezcal Paper Airplane” or “Deep Eddy Lemonade.”
Mercado Luna
422 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122
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Mexican food lovers unite at Mercado Luna for its artsy surroundings, high-energy vibes, and, of course, tasty Mexican fare.
Mercado Luna is in Capitol Hill, along the Pike-Pine corridor, and it’s a fantastic place to stop for happy hour drinks, given their amazing mezcal cocktails and vibrant, casual, and welcoming rooftop area.
